All about the Newfoundland dog breed

Newfoundlands are known around the world as the kindest and family breed of all dogs. Today, representatives of these dogs can be met quite rarely - some kennels are in England, North America and Russia. In this article, you will learn about the features of the appearance, nutrition and breeding at home of Newfoundland dogs.

Today, no one exactly knows the complete pedigree of Newfoundlands - the roots of its origin go back to the distant Middle Ages, when more than one hundred modern dog breeds were born. Despite this, there are several plausible hypotheses that partially explain their origin. The first hypothesis is that the direct ancestors of the Newfs are the Tibetan mastiffs, who were introduced to Europe and assimilated with local breeds.

Another hypothesis is based on the belief that the founders of Newfoundlands are the big shaggy dogs of the famous Scandinavian navigator Leif Ericsson (unofficial discoverer of North America).

Prior to the arrival of the discoverer, there were already aboriginal populations in these territories who actively used dogs in hunting and labor. These dogs were distinguished by a dense coat of wool that repelled water and protected them from frost.The most daring researchers say that it was these individuals who became the initiators of the Newfoundland breed. After this breed has come a long way of random breeding research, incorporating data of Molossian dogs, mastiffs, black Scottish shepherd dogs and many other breeds.

The reason for the primary popularity of these dogs was their amazing physical strength, fearlessness and devotion. These positive qualities have survived to this day. This breed of dogs received official recognition only in the first half of the 18th century. For almost 7 centuries of living together, people have learned to use this breed in fisheries and hunting. Today preserved century-old records of stud books, which indicates that dogs of this breed are very fond of water, help to pull fishing nets, serve as guide dogs and even help to drag heavy bags.

Dogs with such unique qualities and good natured soon became known in Europe. When buying Newfoundlands, dog owners were counting on a beautiful, but also a faithful member of the family. Active breeding and distribution of this breed was carried out precisely in England, and then in France and Germany. The unofficial standard of Newfoundlands assumed exclusively black and white individuals, but pure black or brown individuals soon became popular thanks to selection.

At the end of the 19th century, fashion for large dogs with a massive appearance and wide body came to Europe, which had a very positive effect on the spread of Newfoundlands. The first breed club of the Newfs was opened only in 1886, at about the same time an official standard was adopted, the main provisions of which have been preserved to this day. The greatest popularity came to Newfoundlands only at the beginning of the twentieth century, when they returned to their historic homeland - to America. It was already a fully formed breed of dogs with its unique exterior and qualities.

It is on the territory of America and England today that the majority of nurseries for breeding this breed of dogs are located.

Now it’s worthwhile to understand the typical external characteristics of the Newfoundland breed, which are based on the modern standard.

• Body. Massive, firmly built, but compact, even to some extent square: the distance between the withers and the floor is equal to the distance from the withers to the base of the tail. The back is wide, as is the croup, and the muscles are well developed on the lower back. The chest is wide, well developed. As a rule, the body of females is more elongated than that of males, and the physique itself is not so massive.

• Head. Large, weighty, the skull is wide and heavy. Against the background of the head, the occipital protuberance is clearly visible. The shape of the muzzle is square, short. A remarkable difference between Newfs is the complete absence of any skin folds on the face. Cheeks are soft, springy, with a clear angle of the beginning of the mouth. The nose is large, wide, with well-developed nostrils - the shade is most often black or brown. The entire muzzle is covered with a thin layer of hair.

• Mouth and fangs. Teeth are white, blunt, look massive. Fangs stand out clearly against the background of the main row. The bite is most often scissor-like.

• Eyes. Small in size, round or almond-shaped, set deep and set at a relatively large distance from each other. The eyelids fit snugly to the eye. For representatives of dark colors, the iris should be dark or black.If we are talking about brown and brown individuals, then honey, copper and light brown shades are possible.

• The ears. Even at a young age, they are omitted, long and triangular in structure, the tips are rounded. They are planted laterally at the level of the superciliary arches. Often covered with a middle layer of hair. To determine the correct length of the ears, it is enough with the tip of the ear to try to reach the inner corner of the eye from the identical side of the head. For purebred divers, the length of the ears should be in this area.

• Neck. Powerful, wide, quite long and flexible, which allows individuals of this breed to freely turn their heads. From the beginning of the neck to the chest, one can observe an increase in the length of the hairline, which creates a kind of “lion” image when the newf sits.

• Feet and paws. The forelimbs are exceptionally straight, with a calm walk, they walk almost in parallel. The hind legs have more pronounced muscles (especially the femoral muscles), but a little less in length. The paws themselves are tightly assembled, the shape is round, there are small swimming membranes between the firm and hard fingers. Claws are usually poorly expressed, thick, black or light shade. Also, this breed is characterized by the appearance of profitable fingers that need to be removed, and the sooner the better.

• Tail. For this breed, the tail has a special regulatory function - it sets the direction for movement in water. It is massive, wide, covered with a thick layer of wool, which allows you to effectively manage it even in a rapid stream of water. When the dog is in a standing position, the tail is slightly lowered, but should not be between the legs or lie on your back. If the pet is in an excited state, the tail is usually raised up and slightly bent inward.

• Movement. You can also recognize Newfoundland by its graceful, measured and leisurely gait. Even in a playful or frightened state, all his movements demonstrate strength, power and inflexibility, while his back always remains flat. The movements of these dogs are sweeping and wide, they prefer to take medium leisurely steps, putting a certain force into each step.

• Hairline. The wool of this breed simply has a unique property that does not allow the dog to get wet or get dirty quickly. By their structure, the hair of these dogs is oily and smooth, so the water just drains down them, without reaching the undercoat. The texture of the hair is straight, but the standard allows small vortices on the back of the head, chest and stomach. Wool covers the entire body of the animal, a significant part of the hair is located on the limbs, back, tail and chest. The coat itself is soft, but harsh, springy.

• Color. Initially, divers were presented only as an exclusively black or black and white breed of dog, but over time and the spread of this breed around the world, chocolate individuals also became popular. At first it was believed that the brown color was the result of wool burning in direct sunlight, but over time, newfies with this color began to be bred on purpose. The main requirement for a diver's color is precisely the color saturation. Despite the prevalence of a single shade in the color of this breed, Newfoundlands with a zonal black and white color have recently gained popularity.

• Average weight. Nyufy differ in massive and heavy physique - if females usually do not exceed 55 kg, then males can weigh up to 70 kg.

• Height. As with weight, females are slightly lower than males. The average growth of the female newf today is 63–67 cm at the withers, the growth of the cable is from 69 to 76 cm.

This breed of dog is known to many dog ​​handlers and breeders as the most good-natured and friendly of all the others. It is difficult to find a dog kinder and more considerate in relation not only to the owner, but also to strangers. The apartment where Newfoundland appears immediately becomes a little more comfortable and warmer thanks to the positive and warm aura of this good healthy man.

It is impossible to find someone more devoted than Newfoundland in relation to their master and family. For their sake, they are able to carry out commands, do difficult tricks, and even rush into a burning house to save them. The ambiguous quality here is that the dogs of this breed - Amazing Monogamous. This means that the dog is unlikely to recognize a full-fledged master in a new person, although it will treat him kindly.

Despite its considerable size, dogs of this breed are very good-natured to all family members, whether they are adults or their smallest representatives. For children, these dogs will become powerful protectors and friends who will protect from other animals, comfort in difficult times, and also become a pillow due to the long and thick coat of Newfoundland. In addition, this breed tolerates harassment and does not hold grudges against babies. Newfoundlands or "divers" are friendly not only to people, but also to pets.

What about other dog breeds - this breed will by all means try to get in touch and show its location. If we are talking about cats, then these dogs treat them with good nature, but with the understanding that friendship can hardly take place.

Unfortunately or fortunately, this breed is practically not suitable for guard work. “Divers” are initially too friendly and trusting, even though suspicious notes may slip through the stranger’s actions, these dogs will not lose their good location until the last second.

A completely different situation is when the owner needs protection from an aggressive stranger - at such moments, a good man disappears instantly, giving way to a formidable and strong defender who is ready to break all those who threaten his family. Throughout the world, "divers" are actively used in rescue and accompanying operations: as guides, draft force, rescuers of the wounded and drowning. These dogs perfectly understand the current situation of danger, quickly make decisions and completely surrender to work, even at the cost of their lives.

Some breeders consider the "divers" to be an incredibly lazy and incapable of learning breed, but this is not at all the case. The fact is that this breed has a well-developed analytical thinking, which blocks the dog from silly and senseless, in her opinion, commands. This especially affects professional training - divers rarely show a desire to repeat material already passed, since they consider it to be completely learned.

A distinctive feature of Newfoundlands is their sharp intuitive flair. These animals are able to analyze the actions of the owner and accurately determine what he wants at the moment. This is both a good side, as these dogs will never pester, if you feel bad, or a bad trait, where the newf can take your cries and aggressive statements very close to his heart.

Newfs just feel great outdoors, they are complaisant, assiduous on the road, they often get real pleasure from traveling by car, sticking their heads out of the car window. A special joy to these dogs is the relaxation combined with swimming in open water. These dogs will be especially useful in family vacations, where they can not only have fun with your children, but also protect them from dangerous pranks.

The life expectancy of any pet, whether it is a dog, cat, hamster or turtle, depends on several factors at once: conditions of care and maintenance, proper feeding, stable psychological relations with the owner, heredity. As for the breed of Newfs themselves, they do not live particularly long - mainly from 8 to 10 years. By the age of 7–8 years, the animal begins to develop problems with vision and hearing, and the functions of the musculoskeletal system deteriorate.

Under theoretically ideal conditions of care and maintenance, the diver’s lifespan can actually be extended up to 14–15 years, but you should not count on this.

Experienced breeders do not recommend breeding Newfoundlands at home. It cannot be said that these animals need some kind of exceptional care, but small "divers", as a rule, require an extremely balanced diet to strengthen their bodies. Inexperienced owners are rarely capable of such food, especially when it comes to litter with several puppies.

If you decide in advance that the animal will not be used for breeding, advised to castrate an individual. Castration is believed to increase the potential life span of animals.

The very first estrus of female newfies starts in the period from six months to a year, but it is recommended to wait up to a year until the female’s body is fully formed and strengthened to bear and give birth to puppies. That is why mating is recommended only on the second or better even the third estrus.

Particular attention should be paid to protecting the flowing female from other non-pedigree males during walks. It is usually not recommended to knit a female with a male from private hands, for this you can contact in specialized nurseries, where there are thoroughbred males grown specifically for these purposes.

Before knitting, make sure the animal is healthy. Particular attention should be paid to overweight in females, which complicates the birth process itself. During pregnancy, the female will need enhanced nutrition with an increased amount of vitamins and minerals.

For the birth itself, you should choose a dry place with dim light. At birth, puppies of Newfs are almost defenseless, so the first time they are recommended to be left with their parents. After several days, when the puppies are a little stronger, they should be weaned from their mother and placed in a separate room (this should only be done if you decide to sell the puppies).

Important! Puppies must get the first nutrients from their mother’s milk, then they will have to switch to more high-calorie and nutritious food, which will be discussed below. Since most of purebred puppies are bought only at the age of 2 to 3 months, keep in mind that these 2 months all care for the condition of the pets will be on your shoulders.

Growing puppies is a difficult task even for the most experienced breeders, so many of them prefer to buy exactly adult puppies who already know how to walk in the tray and carry out minimal commands. When buying puppies, you should pay attention to several factors.

• Place of purchase. There are two popular options for acquiring newf puppies - from private hands or from nurseries. Each of the options has its pros and cons.
  • So, in nurseries due to the large number of dogs of an individual born individual, not much attention is paid. Here the main emphasis is on collective nutrition, general care conditions and general vaccinations. However, despite this, self-respecting nurseries always keep a strict record of the pedigrees of the pet. They will surely present all the documents to you, and they can also introduce the documents of the parents of the pet themselves - so you can get a rough idea of ​​the appearance and makings of the future pet.
  • Buying a pet with a hand more often it costs a lot cheaper, but the risks here are much greater. For example, you are unlikely to receive the entire set of documents, which should include a veterinary passport, metric and pedigree. And also you will not be sure what fed the pet to you. The guarantee of a healthy puppy in this case is only the honest word of the seller of the puppy, so you must be absolutely sure of his reputation.

• Age. Based on the recommendations of the Russian Canine Federation, dog puppies can only be sold when they reach the age of 45 days. However, many prefer to buy already almost adult puppies older than 3 months. At this age, puppies are usually vaccinated, behave appropriately and are ready for training and training. In addition, at this age, the dog’s body is fully formed, therefore, you can immediately detect defects or defects in appearance.

• Behavior. When choosing puppies, pay attention to their behavior. It is better to choose active, tightly knocked down, cheerful and inquisitive puppies. Tightness, indecision and a weak interest in what is happening indicate weak character or health problems. Pay particular attention to the condition of the coat, coordination, the presence of lacrimal paths, increased salivation - all these signs indicate diseases and health complications.

Proper feeding is especially important for the healthy functioning of "divers" - individuals of this breed do not particularly like to spend time with hard training and physical entertainment, therefore they are prone to obesity. It is worth familiarizing yourself with the basic rules for feeding Newfoundlands.

• Finished feed. For feeding newfies, only premium and super-premium class feeds (holistic) are suitable, only they contain all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the dog. Such food will require some ingenuity from you, because the same food can simply annoy Newfoods over time. That is why delicacies, fruits and vegetables, which brighten up everyday meals, should sometimes be added to the diet.

• Natural food. If we are talking about natural nutrition, then it should be only fresh and high-quality products. In the diet of these dogs about 50% of all food should be meat products. This is best suited for meat products with a low fat content: lamb, veal, beef, rabbit meat. The rest of the diet is occupied by fruits and vegetables: carrots, apples, beets, cabbage, parsley, salad. In winter, a lack of vitamins, it is recommended to include cereal cereals in the feed - oatmeal and buckwheat (in addition to rice, millet and barley). As a substitute for meat, offal or fish can be used - mainly boiled.

• Prohibited foods. Many inexperienced owners prefer to feed their pets leftovers from the table than do a disservice to dogs. The fact is that any fried, salted, pickled, smoked and spicy products by the body of "divers" are not perceived at all. The same applies to the supply of sweets (sweets, chocolate, cakes) and flour (except bread crumbs). Of fruits and vegetables, foods with a high level of acidity and high sugar should be avoided: avocados, bananas, lemons, onions.

• The regularity of feeding. At the birth of puppies, Newfs should be fed at least 5-6 times a day in small portions. Over time, the regularity of feeding is reduced to two times a day.

• Feeding time. An adult needs two meals a day, as well as at least two walks a day. It is best to feed the “divers” just before the morning and evening walk - in this case, they are more likely to whet their appetite and will be able to eat even the most tasteless, but healthy food.

• Seasonality. Any breed of dog needs a different approach when feeding at different seasonal times. In the summer season, it should be a dense, satisfying and nutritious food that will provide the dog with energy for games and walks. Low fat foods are acceptable here, as they automatically burn out from active exercise. If we talk about the winter season, here the amount of fatty foods should be minimized and include more vitamins and minerals in the diet. Without this, it will be difficult for the dog’s body to cope with the impending frost (especially for those owners who keep the dog in the northern regions or in the booth).

• Water is the most important element of any feeding. Make sure that clean and fresh water is always available to your pet. Especially important is the presence of water in the supply of finished dry feed and mixtures.

The nutrition of young Newfoundland is slightly different from the feeding of an adult, so it is worth considering its features.

• The main rule for "divers" breeders is to provide puppies with enough protein and animal fats in the first months. Upon reaching six months, sometimes even earlier, the diet gradually changes in favor of reducing calories and controlling the healthy tone of the animal.
• If you buy a young puppy from a kennel or from private hands, be sure to ask what exactly the animal was fed to you. If you are fed with natural food, and you provide the puppy only with ready-made food - be sure that indigestion cannot be avoided. The transition should be carried out smoothly, gradually reducing the percentage of junk food in the diet.
• The vitamins that are found in fruits and vegetables such as apples, zucchini, beets, carrots, pumpkins, and potatoes are vital for the body of young newfs. At the same time, vegetables can be given both raw and washed, and boiled.
• From meat products it is better to give preference to veal, beef and chicken. As a substitute can also be used marine fish (without small bones). Quail eggs and offal will be an excellent substitute for protein.

If you want to buy Newfoundland, you should consider whether your conditions are suitable for keeping this unusual breed of dog.

Below you should familiarize yourself with a set of recommendations that should simplify the care of the "diver".

By their nature, Newfs are absolutely not picky about their place of residence and feel great both on the street and at home. However, it is worth paying attention to the size of the dog - for small and small apartments with insufficient free space, such a dog is not suitable.

The best way to keep the newf is a country or private house with a booth and constant access to a small pond and an open area with greenery. If you decide to get a "diver" at home, then he should always have his own separate place with a good view of the entire apartment. An ideal option would be a small mattress or sunbed covered with a cloth or cloth that is easy to wash.

Keeping these dogs in the aviary - they cannot endure long partings with the owner and constantly need to communicate with people. And also it is not recommended to put "divers" on a chain - these are very individual animals with a developed sense of self-esteem. If they do not feel a full-fledged personality in the eyes of the owner, then you can forget about any trust.

It is difficult to call Newfs dogs that are prone to active pastime. Most of their time, they like to just wallow in their place or to go tail for the members of their family. That is why for this breed, physical activity is so necessary - with a healthy diet, but without stress, newfas can very easily make obesity.

As already mentioned, the probable relatives of Newfoundlands are long-haired breeds of dogs, raised in severe climatic conditions of a lack of heat. That is why these animals are not recommended to be raised in hot southern regions with high average temperatures - in summer, individuals of this breed can receive heat stroke from a long stay in the sun.

This will be your main concern for the care of the “diver. Be prepared that in all corners of your apartment, on all clothes and furniture there will always be shreds of wool. Especially this misfortune will have to suffer during moulting, which takes place twice a year (in autumn and spring). You can deal with this only by regular combing 2-3 times a week.

If the animal lives in the open air, you can say goodbye to shedding problems, but this does not mean that the procedures for grooming should be canceled. Regular combing is the key to a beautiful and healthy appearance of "divers." Particular attention should be paid the formation of warlocks, who are the true carriers of disease.

Despite the animal’s attachment to water, washing these dogs yourself with shampoos and other products should be done no more than several times a year. Otherwise, there is a great chance of harming the fat balance of the skin, which will lead to allergies, infections and viral diseases. In addition, the wool of newfies has a unique coating that repels dirt and water, but this coating may disappear over time due to the use of aggressive detergents.

Some owners prefer to cut Newfoundland's long hair to avoid shedding and grooming. If the haircut comes out too short, it can cause significant harm to the skin of the animal and make it defenseless against colds and infectious diseases. Experienced breeders recommend taking these dogs away. for regular sessions in grooming salons - there you can adjust the appearance of the pet without touching the undercoat.

​​​​​​ Like all other dogs, Newfoundlands need systematic grooming. behind the ears, eyes, claws and teeth. A routine inspection of these areas should be carried out at least 1 time per week. Claws should be cut only if they prevent the pet from moving. Teeth should be washed regularly to avoid plaque formation.

Do not forget Regular vaccinations to protect your pet from many diseases and viruses.

To care for Newfoundland, the following list of accessories is useful to you:

• a comb or brush with frequent and soft teeth for combing tangles and massage;
• clipper;
• brush and toothpaste for dogs of large breeds;
• cotton swabs or sticks for cleaning the ears;
• a muzzle, a collar and a leash for walking a dog;
• whistle - will facilitate the implementation of quick stunts and teams on the street;
• 2 metal bowls - one for feed, the other for water; it is advisable to screw the bowls to the floor or buy heavy and massive options that are difficult to turn over;
• toys and entertainment - they will be needed for the development of young puppies; in addition, it is advisable to buy several seeds for very young individuals so that they can grind cutting teeth.

Newfoundlands are smart, resourceful and calm, so to educate such pets in elementary teams does not cause significant problems, even at home. You should pay attention to several points when training a "diver".

• Appointment. In the beginning, decide what exactly you need a pet for and what function it will perform in the future. The fact is that the training plan for raising a lifeguard and an ordinary pet will be significantly different. However, regardless of your dog goals, keep in mind that this breed needs regular exercise.

• The very first days. You should understand that education and training involves not only the execution of some commands, but also banal obedience within the walls of the apartment. That is why the basic rules of pet behavior should be taught from childhood. Immediately it is worth designating closed and open spaces in your apartment. If the pet wants to get into the closed area - warningly take it back until he realizes that you can’t go there.

• Nickname. The name for any living creature is a kind of emotional vehicle, and especially for pets. The nickname should be thought out in advance - it should be a loud, as short as possible and sonorous name, easy to remember. In the future, when pronouncing any commands, always use the name first - it will make it clear to the dog that the following instructions concern him.

• Socialization. In the first stages of training, you should take care of the socialization of your animal. In the future, you will have to walk with him more than once in crowded places, in the presence of children and strangers, so the sooner your pet learns to adequately respond to the presence of strangers around, the better it will be for him. To socialize more effectively, try to take your pet with you more often for a walk.

Very soon, he will learn to recognize your manners, emotions and facial expressions in certain situations - this will be very useful at the time of the training itself. And also you may have difficulties with the eternal desire of the newf to get acquainted and make friends with everyone. To some passersby, even a puppy diver may seem like a large dog.

• Memory. These animals simply have a wonderful memory, so a newf pet is more likely to successfully repeat a trick or command if the owner has already forced him to do it at least once. This is also a minus, as Newfs often refuse to conduct material already covered.

• Demeanor. In training with Newfoundland, try to maintain a neutral tone of voice, no aggression should be present there. If a pet doesn’t perform any commands correctly, try to show it with the help of intonation. If the trick is successful, decorate your voice with a tone of approval. Believe me, this breed of dog understands very well when something is said with approval, and something with anger and irritation.

• Training time. Try to conduct training regularly, without missing a single day in your schedule. Only in this case can the result be seriously entrenched in the memory of the animal.The very first trainings should be carried out starting from 2-3 months - at this age newfies become cavity-conscious animals and are ready to carry out the simplest commands and instructions.

• We start small. The desire to quickly train a pet to perform the most complex commands is understandable, but it will never bring the expected result. Try to start with primitive and simple commands that do not require much effort from the pet: “sit”, “paw”, “fu”, “voice”, “place”, “lie”. These commands indicate a single action that can be easily repeated. Over time, these teams will have to be complicated if you want to achieve at least some result. The next step in training will be the addition of teams of multiple or long-term action: “next”, “aport”, “up”, “wait” and others.

About the features of keeping Newfoundland dogs see below.